A sexy fireman calendar? Please. These days that's about as antiquated as the concept of the prim, buttoned-up spinster librarian.

Proof of both is the 2013 Tattooed Youth Librarians of Massachusetts Calendar, a much-buzzed-about 18-month, full-color calendar featuring tattooed members (15 gals and lone one guy) of the Massachusetts Library Association. None look like the type to shush you while glowering over the top of a pair of smudged bifocals. "There are still a lot of stereotypes about librarians, so many people are surprised that so many of us have tattoos," says Sharon Colvin, chair of the MLA's Youth Services Section and one of the inked-up librarians featured in the calendar. "I think there's still a mystique surrounding librarians. A lot of people have no idea what we do and make a lot of assumptions about us. In reality, we're a diverse, dynamic group."

The mostly lit-inspired body art featured in the calendar — proceeds from which benefit the MLA's professional, advocacy, and legislative programs — runs the gamut from e.e. cummings quotes to images of Max from Where the Wild Things Are. Says Colvin, "We wanted to spark some good conversation about libraries and librarians." Mission accomplished.

Zombies ripped my flesh I died too quickly in the zombie apocalypse. It was the last, fatal bite I remember most clearly: I had just zigzagged to safety through a grove of lurching undead. As I slowed to bask in my success, I felt the gruesome rip of Velcro at my hip — and it was over.

Save a car, ride a pedicab Before this assignment, I had never even considered riding in pedicab, even though I work in the pedicab mecca of Kenmore Square. I always thought there was something extremely icky about making someone sweat while I sit there like a pasha.

Bon Mots During a late-night car ride, three friends from Boulder, Colorado, began regaling each other with stories, as people trapped in a car for hours are wont to do.

THE TNT SHORT LIST: ARTSEMERSON'S NEXT THING | February 12, 2013 Mike Daisey's anthropologic commentary on American culture is just the beginning of what ArtsEmerson has in store for festival-goers at The Next Thing (TNT) Festival.